David Owens has been battling cancer for more than four years, and through the surgeries and numerous rounds of chemotherapy, he’s still managed to graduate from East Chapel Hill High School in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with a perfect 4.0 grade point average (GPA).
“I wasn’t going to let all that stuff that was happening hold me back,” he said, according to ABC7.
David’s dream had always been to graduate on time. His fight with cancer sent David and his mom, Arlene, to UNC Children’s Hospital countless times through his high school career.
But through all his trials and tribulations, David never let his misfortune and fear get the best of him.
“I was super afraid that I was going to die,” he said. “I’ll never be able to do all the things I dreamed about doing when I get older.”
Over the course of four tumultuous years, David has undergone several round of radiation, two bone marrow transplants, a brain surgery, two spinal surgeries, and he’s currently on his second round of chemo.
“Because of the type of tumor he has, there is no end date. His doctors are doing whatever comes up — they’re working with it and keeping him alive,” said David’s mother Arlene.
What’s more, David is already prepared to tackle his next set of educational goals so he can be “a marine biologist.”
“He’s very dedicated to his work. As soon as he feels a little bit good, his teacher will come,” said David’s mother.
“I still want to be a marine biologist,” David said when asked what he is ready to take on next. “I haven’t given up on that.”
Follow Jerome Hudson on Twitter: @jeromeehudson.
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.